CN112186356A

CN112186356A - Modular connector assembly and base station antenna

Info

Publication number: CN112186356A
Application number: CN201910597017.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 周元耀; 刘进; 安红娟; 张玉俊
Original assignee: Commscope Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Commscope Technologies LLC
Priority date: 2019-07-04
Filing date: 2019-07-04
Publication date: 2021-01-05
Also published as: US20210006003A1; US11444407B2; WO2021003033A1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a modular connector assembly and a base station antenna. A modular connector assembly includes a support and a plurality of connectors mounted on the support. The support is configured as a one-piece support and is provided with a plurality of through holes for mounting the connector. Each connector is configured to be formed of a first member and a second member that are connectable to each other. The first and second parts of each connector are respectively located on opposite sides of the support, connected to each other through the through-holes of the support, and clamp the support between the first and second parts, thereby fixedly mounting each connector to the support. The modular connector assembly according to the present disclosure does not require the use of metal fasteners such as screws, not only reducing the number of parts required to be used, reducing the time it takes to assemble and secure the connectors, but also avoiding or reducing "cross talk" between the connectors caused by metal fasteners such as screws.

Description

Modular connector assembly and base station antenna

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of base station antennas. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a modular connector assembly for a base station antenna and a base station antenna including the same.

Background

In order to connect the input patch cord to the base station antenna, a plurality of connectors are typically secured to the end caps of the base station antenna to facilitate insertion of the input patch cord.

Fig. 1 shows a plurality of connectors 2 fixed to an end cap 1 of a base station antenna in the prior art, wherein each connector 2 is fixed to the end cap with a plurality of screws 3 (e.g., 4).

In practice, such a fixing means has a number of drawbacks. First, as shown in fig. 2, in order to fix the connector 2 to the end cap 1 with the screws 3, the connector 2 generally includes a flange 4, a plurality of screw holes 5 are provided on the flange 4, and the connector 2 is fixed to the end cap 1 by screwing the screws 3 into the screw holes 5. The presence of the flange 4 increases the bulk of the connector 2, which may hinder or prevent miniaturization of the connector; in addition, the presence of the flange 4 increases the material and machining costs of the connector 2. Secondly, since each connector 2 needs to be fixed to the end cap 1 by a plurality of screws 3, a large amount of time is required for assembly, thereby increasing labor costs. Finally, it has been found in practice that the presence of the screws 3 can cause "crosstalk" in the connector 2, thereby adversely affecting the quality of the communication.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present disclosure to address one or more of the above problems, and other problems, and to achieve additional advantages.

In a first aspect of the disclosure, a modular connector assembly is provided that includes a support and a plurality of connectors mounted on the support. The support is configured as a one-piece support and provided with a plurality of through-holes for mounting the plurality of connectors. Each of the plurality of connectors is configured to be formed of a first component and a second component, the first component being connectable to the second component. The first and second parts of each of the plurality of connectors are respectively located at opposite sides of the support, connected to each other through one of the plurality of through-holes of the support, and clamp the support between the first and second parts, thereby fixedly mounting each of the plurality of connectors to the support.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of connectors is configured as a coaxial connector including an inner contact and an outer contact.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, one of the first and second components comprises the inner contact and/or the outer contact.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, one of the first and second components includes the inner contact and the other of the first and second components includes the outer contact.

According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the first component is connectable to the second component by press fitting.

According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the first component is connectable to the second component by a threaded fit.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a boss is provided on an outer periphery of one of the first and second members, the boss and an end surface of the other of the first and second members being engaged with each other to sandwich the support between the first and second members.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first member and the second member are each provided on an outer periphery thereof with a boss, and the bosses of the first member and the bosses of the second member are fitted to each other to sandwich the support between the first member and the second member.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of through-holes of the support has a non-circular shape for preventing rotation of the corresponding connector therein.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the support is a plastic support.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the modular connector assembly may form an end cap of a base station antenna.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the modular connector assembly is secured to an end cap of a base station antenna.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the modular connector assembly is secured to the end cap of the base station antenna by a snap-lock nut.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the quick lock nut is a plastic quick lock nut.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the quick lock nut includes a locking element, and the end cap of the base station antenna includes a mating locking element that mates with the locking element of the quick lock nut.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the support of the modular connector assembly includes a mating locking element that mates with the locking element of the quick lock nut.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the locking element of the quick lock nut comprises a locking bar, wherein the locking bar is configured to be locked in a slot of a mating locking element of an end cap of the base station antenna.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the locking bar is configured to be locked in a slot of a mating locking element included in a support of the modular connector assembly.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a first positioning part selected from the support of the modular connector assembly and the end cap of the base station antenna is provided with a positioning post, and a second positioning part selected from the support of the modular connector assembly and the end cap of the base station antenna is provided with a positioning hole for receiving the positioning post.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the positioning post is configured as an integral part of the first positioning part.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the non-return feature is configured to prevent the locating post from backing out of the locating hole when the non-return feature passes through the locating hole.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the locating post includes a shank having a first diameter and a head having a second diameter, the second diameter being greater than the first diameter, wherein a lower surface of the head serves as the non-return feature.

According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the locating post comprises two or more resilient members that are open to each other, each of the two or more resilient members comprising a portion of the shank and a portion of the head, wherein the head is capable of passing through the locating hole when the two or more resilient members are brought together, and the lower surface of the head is capable of preventing the locating post from backing out of the locating hole when the two or more resilient members are open to each other.

In a second aspect of the present disclosure, a modular connector assembly is provided. The modular connector assembly includes at least one connector attached to a cable and a support configured to be attached to a structure. The at least one connector includes: a first component comprising a portion of a first contact corresponding to a first conductor of the cable; and a second component comprising a portion of a second contact corresponding to a second conductor of the cable; wherein the first component is configured to be connected to the second component; and wherein the support is clamped between the first component and the second component.

In a third aspect of the disclosure, a base station antenna is provided. The base station antenna includes: an end cap and at least one connector assembly mounted on the end cap. The connector assembly is configured as a modular connector assembly according to the present disclosure.

Drawings

Aspects of the present disclosure will be better understood with reference to the following detailed description of specific embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a plurality of connectors of the prior art secured to an end cap of a base station antenna, wherein each connector is secured to the end cap with a plurality of screws;

FIG. 2 illustrates a prior art connector having a flange;

FIG. 3 illustrates a modular connector assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates components of the modular connector assembly according to FIG. 3;

FIG. 5a shows a connector according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein a first part and a second part of the connector can be connected together by a press fit;

FIG. 5b shows a connector according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the first and second parts of the connector can be connected together by a threaded fit;

FIG. 5c is a cross-sectional view of a connector having a first component and a second component coupled together by a threaded fit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 6 a-6 c are schematic diagrams of a modular connector assembly secured to an end cap of a base station antenna using a snap-lock nut according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

7 a-7 d illustrate another embodiment according to the present disclosure, wherein the locating post includes a non-return feature;

fig. 8 illustrates yet another embodiment according to the present disclosure, wherein the positioning posts are disposed on the support of the modular connector assembly and the positioning holes are disposed on the end cap of the base station antenna.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of the disclosure. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, the embodiments described below are intended to provide a more complete disclosure of the present disclosure, and to fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. It is also to be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in various ways to provide further additional embodiments.

It is to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. All terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the specification have the meaning commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art unless otherwise defined. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

As used in this specification, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The terms "comprising," "including," and "containing" when used in this specification specify the presence of stated features, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features. The term "and/or" as used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The terms "first" and "second" used in the specification are for convenience of description only and have no limiting effect. Any technical features indicated by the terms "first" and "second" may be interchanged.

In the description, spatial relationships such as "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", and the like may describe the relationship of one feature to another in the drawings. It will be understood that the spatial relationship terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, features originally described as "below" other features may be described as "above" other features when the device in the figures is inverted. The device may also be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the relative spatial relationships may be interpreted accordingly.

In the present disclosure, the connector may be integrated on a support to form a modular connector assembly, which can then be fixed to a structure in a quick and simple manner. The structure may be generally any structure that contains a cable that may terminate at a connector along the cover plate. For example, the structure may include a base station antenna, and the modular connector assembly may be secured to an end cap of the base station antenna. In some embodiments, the modular connector assembly itself may form or include an end cap for the base station antenna, which may replace or overlap with an existing end cap. For example, the connector may be integrated in the support disclosed herein, which itself may be an end cap for a base station antenna.

Advantageously, the use of metal fasteners such as screws may not be required, thus not only significantly reducing the time taken to assemble and secure the connectors, but also avoiding or reducing "crosstalk" between the connectors that may be caused by the metal fasteners.

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, a modular connector assembly, generally designated by the reference numeral 100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. In general, modular connector assembly 100 includes a support 110 and at least one connector 120. As shown, the modular connection assembly includes a plurality of connectors 120 mounted on a support 110. The support 110 is configured as a one-piece support and is provided with a plurality of mounting holes, such as through-holes 111, for mounting the connectors 120. Each connector 120 is configured to be formed of a first member 121 and a second member 122 that are connectable to each other. The first and

second parts

121 and 122 of the connector 120 are respectively located at opposite sides of the support 110, connected to each other through the through-holes 111 of the support, and sandwich the support 110 between the first and

second parts

121 and 122, thereby fixedly mounting the connector 120 to the support 110.

The support 110 may be configured as a support plate and may have any suitable profile. The support 110 may be a plastic or polymer support, which may be formed by injection molding.

By means of the one-piece support 110, a plurality of connectors 120 may be integrated together, forming a modular connector assembly 100 according to the present disclosure. In the embodiment shown in fig. 3 and 4, the support 110 may integrate four connectors 120, arranged in a 2 x 2 array. However, the support 110 may also incorporate other numbers and/or arrangements of connectors 120 in other arrays. For example, the supports 110 may integrate connectors arranged in an array of 2 × 3, 2 × 4, 3 × 4, etc.

Referring to fig. 5a to 5c, a specific structure of the connector 120 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. In the embodiment shown in fig. 5a to 5c, the connector 120 is shown as a coaxial connector comprising an inner contact and an outer contact. The first part 121 and the second part 122 of the connector 120 may each comprise a part of the functional part of the coaxial connector. For instance, the first part 121 may comprise a portion of a first contact corresponding to a first conductor of a cable (e.g., an outer contact of a coaxial connector corresponding to an outer conductor of a coaxial cable), while the second part 122 may comprise a portion of a second contact corresponding to a second conductor of a cable (e.g., an inner contact of a coaxial connector corresponding to an inner conductor of a coaxial cable). In this way, when the first member 121 and the second member 122 are connected together, a coaxial connector having complete electrical connection performance can be formed. In some embodiments, both the inner and outer contacts may be included within the first member 121 and/or the second member 122.

In one embodiment according to the present disclosure, the connector 120 includes a 4.3-10 female connector interface. However, the connector 120 may include other types of connector interfaces, such as a NEX10 connector interface, a 2.2-5 connector interface, an SMA connector interface, an N-type connector interface, a 7/16 radio frequency connector interface, and the like. Additionally, the connector 120 may be other types of connectors.

The first and

second parts

121, 122 of the connector 120 may include first and second connection features 1211, 1221, respectively, that are capable of mating with one another. The first and

second pieces

121, 122 of the connector 120 may be connected together by the first and second connection features 1211, 1221. In embodiments according to the present disclosure, the first connection feature 1211 includes a cylindrical cavity and the second connection feature 1221 includes a cylindrical body that is receivable in the cylindrical cavity of the first connection feature 1211.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 5a, the first connection feature 1211 and the second connection feature 1221 connect the first component 121 and the second component 122 together via a press fit (also referred to as an "interference fit"). Specifically, the inner diameter of the cylindrical cavity of the first connection feature 1211 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical body of the second connection feature 1221 such that an interference fit is created at the interface of the cylindrical cavity of the first connection feature 1211 and the cylindrical body of the second connection feature 1221, thereby connecting the first and

second components

121, 122 together by means of pressure at the interface (e.g., pressure created by elastic deformation thereof).

In the embodiment shown in fig. 5b, first connection feature 1211 and second connection feature 1221 connect first part 121 and second part 122 together via a threaded fit. Specifically, an internal thread (not shown) is provided on an inner surface of the cylindrical cavity of the first connection feature 1211, while an external thread 1222 is provided on an outer surface of the cylindrical body of the second connection feature 1221. In this way, the first and

second components

121, 122 may be connected together by screwing the cylindrical body of the second connection feature 1222 into the cylindrical cavity of the first connection feature 1211. Fig. 5c shows, in cross-section, the threaded engagement between first connection feature 1211 and second connection feature 1221.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 5a to 5c, the first part 121 and the second part 122 are further provided with a first boss 1214 and a second boss 1224, respectively, on their outer circumference. When mounting the connector 120 onto the support 110, the first connection feature 1211 of the first part 121 extends from a first side of the support 110 through the through hole 111 of the support 110 and the first boss 1214 of the first part 121 abuts against a first surface of the support 110, the second connection feature 1221 of the second part 122 is inserted or screwed into the cylindrical cavity of the first connection feature 1211 of the first part 121 from a second side of the support 110 opposite to the first side, and the second boss 1224 of the second part 122 abuts against a second surface of the support 110 opposite to the first surface. As such, the first and

second bosses

1214 and 1224 sandwich the support 110 by abutting against the first and second surfaces of the support 110, respectively, such that the connector 120 is fixedly mounted on the support 110.

Returning to fig. 4, in some embodiments, the through-hole 111 of the support 110 may be configured to have an inner surface with a non-circular shape. Accordingly, the first connection feature 1211 of the first member 121 of the connector 120 may be configured to have a corresponding non-circular shaped outer surface. Alternatively or additionally, the second connection feature 1221 of the second component 122 may be configured with a corresponding non-circular shaped outer surface. The non-circular shape and/or corresponding non-circular shape may include: for example, polygonal, multi-deformation with rounded corners, elliptical, combinations thereof, or generally any shape having a non-circular form. Thus, for example, when the first part 121 of the connector 120 extends through the through-hole 111 of the support 110 and is coupled with the second part 122, the connector 120 is prevented from rotating in the through-hole 111. For example, a non-circular inner surface of the through-hole 111 may interfere with a non-circular outer surface of the connector 120 to prevent rotation of the connector 120 relative to the through-hole 111.

In one embodiment according to the present disclosure, the support 110 may be clamped between a first surface on the first part 121 and a second surface on the second part 122. In one example, the end face of the first part 121 includes a first clamping surface and the end face of the second part 122 includes a second clamping surface for clamping the support 110 therebetween. In some embodiments, the support 110 may be sandwiched between a boss (e.g., first boss 1214 or second boss 1224) comprising a clamping surface disposed on the first or

second member

121 or 122 and an end face comprising a clamping surface disposed on the other of the first or

second member

121 or 122. For example, a boss may be provided on the outer periphery of the first member 121 and/or the second member 122. For example, a second boss 1224 may be provided on the outer periphery of the second member 122. In this embodiment, the support 110 may be sandwiched between the first member 121 and the second member 122 by the end face of the first member 121 and the second boss 1224 of the second member 122. Specifically, the outer diameter of the first connection feature 1211 of the first member 121 is designed to be greater than the inner diameter of the through-hole 111 of the support 110 such that the first connection feature 1211 does not extend into the through-hole 111. The second connection feature 1221 of the second part 122 extends from one side of the supporter 110 through the through-hole 111 of the supporter 110 and protrudes to the other side of the supporter 110. The portion of the second connection feature 1221 protruding to the other side of the support 110 is inserted or screwed into the cylindrical cavity of the first connection feature 1211 of the first part 121 until the end face of the first part 121 and the second boss 1224 of the second part 122 abut the first and second surfaces of the support 110 from both sides, respectively. In this way, the support 110 is sandwiched between the first member 121 and the second member 122 by the end face of the first member 121 and the second boss 1224 of the second member 122.

In one embodiment, when the through-hole 111 of the support 110 has an inner surface with a non-circular shape, the portion of the second connection feature 1221 of the second part 122 that is to be located within the through-hole 111 may be provided with a corresponding outer surface with a non-circular shape in order to prevent the connector 120 from rotating within the through-hole 111. In particular, the second connection feature 1221 of the second component 122 can include a first portion and a second portion. When the connector 120 is mounted to the support 110, a first portion of the second connection feature 1221 is located inside the through-hole 111 of the support 110 and a second portion of the second connection feature 1221 protrudes out of the through-hole 111. A first portion of the second connection feature 1221 has a non-circular outer surface that mates with the non-circular inner surface of the through-hole 111 and a second portion of the second connection feature 1221 has a feature that mates with the first connection feature 1211 (e.g., a corresponding press-fit feature or a threaded fit feature).

Referring to fig. 6 a-6 c, one embodiment of the securing of a modular connector assembly 100 according to the present disclosure to an end cap 200 of a base station antenna is shown. In the embodiment according to fig. 6a to 6c, the modular connector assembly 100 is fixed to the end cap 200 of the base station antenna using a snap-lock nut 300. The quick lock nut 300 comprises a cap 301 and a locking element 302 extending in an axial direction from a lower surface of the cap 301. The locking element 302 comprises a body and at least one locking bar 303 arranged on the outer circumference of the body. The locking bar 303 projects outwardly from the body of the locking element 302 in a radial direction. In the embodiment shown in fig. 6b, the locking element 302 comprises 3 locking bars 303 evenly distributed over the circumference of the body in the circumferential direction. The upper surface of the cap 301 of the quick lock nut 300 is provided with a grasping member 304 to facilitate grasping and operating the quick lock nut 300.

Correspondingly,

mating locking elements

202 and 112 that mate with locking bar 303 of quick lock nut 300 are provided on end cap 200 of the base station antenna and support 110 of modular connector assembly 100, respectively. As shown in fig. 6a, the cooperating locking elements 202 of the end cap 200 may comprise a cylindrical body protruding from the surface of the end cap 200 and at least one slot 203 extending partially or completely through the entire wall thickness of the cylindrical body. The top end of the slot 203 is open so that the locking bar 303 can enter the slot 203 and move along the path of the slot 203. In addition, the mating locking element 112 of the support 110 may be a circular through hole. The circular through-hole may have two portions having different diameters in the thickness direction of the support 110 to form a shoulder. The first portion may have a smaller diameter adapted to receive the mating locking element 202 of the end cap 200. The second portion may have a larger diameter adapted to receive the cap 301 of the quick lock nut 300. In some embodiments, the circular through-hole of the support 110 may be placed on or around the mating locking element 202 of the end cap 200, and the quick lock nut 300 may be inserted into the mating locking element 202. The locking bar 303 can be inserted into the slot 203 and the quick lock nut 300 can be rotated such that the locking bar 303 follows the path of the extension of the slot 203, thereby clamping and securing the support 110 between the end cap 200 and the cap 301 of the quick lock nut 300. For example, the snap nut 300 may clamp the support 100 to the end cap 200.

In some embodiments, a slot 113 may be provided on the inner surface of the first portion of the circular through hole. The top end of the slot 113 is likewise open so that the locking bar 303 can also enter the slot 113 and move along the path of extension of the slot 113. The number of

slots

203 and 113 is equal to the number of locking bars 303 such that each locking bar 303 can enter a respective one of the

slots

203 and 113. The extension paths of the

slots

203 and 113 are configured as curvilinear extension paths having the same profile such that when the locking bar 303 moves along the curvilinear extension paths to the ends of the

slots

203 and 113, the locking bar 303 cannot automatically exit the

slots

203 and 113, thereby being locked in the

slots

203 and 113.

In some embodiments, an aperture 201 may be provided in the end cap 200 of the base station antenna. The connector 120 of the modular connector assembly 100 may pass through the aperture 201. When the modular connector assembly 100 is mounted on the end cap 200 of the base station antenna, the connector 120 of the modular connector assembly 100 passes through the hole 201 of the end cap 200 and the mating locking element 202 of the end cap 200 extends into the mating locking element 112 of the support 110. The end cap 200 and the support 110 may abut together or be spaced apart from each other and the

slots

203 and 113 are aligned with each other. The locking bar 303 of the quick lock nut 300 can be inserted into both

slots

203 and 113 from the top ends of the slots 203 and 113 (i.e., each locking bar 303 extends into a pair of

slots

203 and 113 that are aligned with each other at the same time), and then the quick lock nut 300 can be rotated to move the locking bar 303 along the curved extension of the

slots

203 and 113 until the locking bar 303 moves to the bottom ends of the

slots

203 and 113. In this position, the locking bar 303 of the snap nut 300 is locked in the

slots

203 and 113, thereby securing the modular connector assembly 100 to the end cap 200 of the base station antenna.

The quick lock nut 300 may be a plastic or polymer quick lock nut that may be formed by injection molding. The quick lock nut 300 may also be any other type of quick lock nut known to those skilled in the art.

Positioning posts 204 for positioning the modular connection assembly 100 may be provided on the end cap 200 of the base station antenna. Accordingly, positioning holes 114 for receiving positioning posts 204 may be provided on support member 110. When modular connector assembly 100 is mounted on end cap 200 of a base station antenna, positioning posts 204 prevent modular connector assembly 10 from rotating relative to end cap 200. In addition, the positioning posts 204 can relieve the impact of external force on the connector 120, thereby protecting the connector 120. In the embodiment shown in fig. 6a, locating post 204 is configured in the shape of a cylinder.

The locating posts are one embodiment of projections for aligning the support with the end cap and/or for attaching the support to the end cap. The protrusions may be substantially circular in shape, or may comprise substantially square, rectangular, or other polygonal shapes, or other generally prismatic protrusions. The locating hole is one embodiment of a channel configured to receive the locating post or protrusion. Essentially, any channel may be used to receive the geometry of the protrusion, including holes or slots, each of which may be blind or pass through the material below and have a profile corresponding to the protrusion.

In one variant embodiment according to the present disclosure, each locating post or protrusion may include a non-return feature, such that the locating post itself has a locking function. When the non-return feature of the locating post passes through the corresponding locating hole, the non-return feature can prevent the locating post from exiting from the locating hole, thereby fixing the modular connector assembly on the end cap of the base station antenna. For example, a protrusion or locating post may be configured to include a post or shank having a first diameter and a head disposed on one end of the post or shank. The head may have a second diameter, and the second diameter may be greater than the first diameter. The lower surface of the head may act as a non-return feature. For example, a first diameter of the shank may be sized to slide through or otherwise easily pass through the locating hole, while a second diameter of the head may be sized to interference fit with a third diameter of the locating hole and prevent, hinder, or resist insertion and/or removal of the protrusion. For example, the third diameter may be smaller than the second diameter.

In one embodiment, the head comprises a substantially elastic, resilient member. The head may be configured to compress, deform and pass through the locating hole when the resilient member is deformed (e.g., elastically deformed). After passing through the pilot hole, the head may at least partially expand and return to its undeformed shape to prevent its withdrawal from the pilot hole. For example, the lower surface of the head portion may be configured to be wider than the upper surface of the head portion so as to enable the head portion to be more easily inserted into the positioning hole in one direction while preventing the head portion from being withdrawn from the positioning hole in a second direction opposite to the reverse direction.

Fig. 7 a-7 d illustrate one exemplary configuration of locating posts 204 'having backstop features 205', where locating posts 204 'are disposed on end cap 200' of a base station antenna. As shown in fig. 7b, each locating post 204 'is configured as a shank having a first diameter and a head having a second diameter, the second diameter being greater than the first diameter, wherein each locating post 204' comprises two or more resilient members that are flared from each other. Each resilient member includes a portion of shank 206 'and a portion of head 207', and the lower surface of head 207 'acts as a check feature 205'.

As shown in fig. 7c, the resilient members are able to come together under the influence of an external force. When the resilient members are brought together (e.g., upon elastic deformation), head 207 'of positioning post 204' can extend through the corresponding positioning hole. The check feature 205 '(i.e., the lower surface of the head 207') of the locating post 204 'can prevent the locating post 204' from backing out of the locating hole when the resilient members are spread apart from each other (e.g., when elastically returning to an initial position).

Fig. 7d shows a schematic view of fixing the modular connector assembly 100 to the end cap 200 'of the base station antenna using the positioning posts 204', wherein the heads 207 'of the resilient parts of the positioning posts 204' extend through corresponding positioning holes in the support and are spread apart from each other, thereby locking the modular connector assembly 100 to the end cap 200 'by means of the heads 207' of the resilient parts.

Fig. 8 shows another variant embodiment according to the present disclosure. In this embodiment, positioning posts 1004 are disposed on supports 1001 of modular connector assembly 1000 and positioning holes 2004 are disposed on end cap 2000 on the base station antenna. In this embodiment, although positioning post 1004 is shown as being cylindrical in shape, positioning post 1004 could equally be configured as shown in figures 7 a-7 d.

In embodiments according to the present disclosure, the positioning posts (e.g., positioning posts 204, 204', and/or 1004) may be configured as an integral part of end cap 200 or support 1001, e.g., the positioning posts may be integrally formed with end cap 200 or support 1001 by injection molding.

The modular connector assembly according to the present disclosure may not use metal fasteners such as screws, which not only reduces the number of parts that need to be used, reduces the time it takes to assemble and secure the connectors, but may also avoid or reduce "cross talk" between the connectors caused by metal fasteners such as screws. In addition, there is no need to provide a corresponding structure (e.g., a flange) for the fixing member on the connector, thereby facilitating miniaturization of the connector.

Additionally, when the locating post includes a non-return feature, the modular connector assembly can be secured to the end cap of the base station antenna using only the locating post without the use of a quick lock nut. This further reduces the number of parts required to be used to hold the modular connector assembly and further reduces the time taken to assemble and hold the connector.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A modular connector assembly comprising a support and a plurality of connectors mounted on the support, characterized in that:

the support is configured as a one-piece support and provided with a plurality of through-holes for mounting the plurality of connectors;

each of the plurality of connectors is configured to be formed of a first component and a second component, the first component being connectable to the second component,

wherein the first and second parts of each of the plurality of connectors are respectively located on opposite sides of the support, connected to each other through a corresponding one of the plurality of through-holes of the support, and clamping the support between the first and second parts, thereby fixedly mounting each of the plurality of connectors to the support.

2. The modular connector assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of connectors is configured as a coaxial connector comprising an inner contact and an outer contact.

3. The modular connector assembly of claim 2, wherein one of the first and second components comprises the inner contact and/or the outer contact.

4. The modular connector assembly of claim 2, wherein one of the first and second components comprises the inner contact and the other of the first and second components comprises the outer contact.

5. The modular connector assembly according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first component is connectable to the second component by press fitting.

6. The modular connector assembly according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first component is connectable to the second component by a screw fit.

7. The modular connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a boss is provided on an outer periphery of one of the first and second members, the boss and an end surface of the other of the first and second members cooperating with each other to sandwich the support between the first and second members.

8. The modular connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first and second components are each provided with a boss on an outer periphery thereof, the bosses of the first and second components cooperating with each other to clamp the support between the first and second components; and/or

Each of the plurality of through-holes of the support has a non-circular shape for preventing rotation of the corresponding connector therein; and/or

The support piece is a plastic support piece; and/or

The modular connector assembly forms an end cap of a base station antenna; and/or

The modular connector assembly is fixed on an end cover of the base station antenna; and/or

The modular connector assembly is fixed on an end cover of the base station antenna through a quick locking nut; and/or

The quick locking nut is a plastic quick locking nut; and/or

The quick lock nut comprises a locking element, and the end cover of the base station antenna comprises a matching locking element matched with the locking element of the quick lock nut; and/or

The support of the modular connector assembly includes a mating locking element that mates with the locking element of the quick lock nut; and/or

The locking element of the quick lock nut comprises a locking post, wherein the locking post is configured to be locked into a slot of a mating locking element included in an end cap of the base station antenna; and/or

The locking bar is configured to be locked in a slot of a mating locking element included in a support of the modular connector assembly; and/or

A first positioning part selected from the support of the modular connector assembly and the end cap of the base station antenna is provided with a positioning post, and a second positioning part selected from the support of the modular connector assembly and the end cap of the base station antenna is provided with a positioning hole for receiving the positioning post; and/or

The positioning post is configured as an integral part of the first positioning component; and/or

The locating post includes a non-return feature, wherein the non-return feature is configured to prevent the locating post from backing out of the locating hole when the non-return feature passes through the locating hole; and/or

The locating post comprises a shank having a first diameter and a head having a second diameter, the second diameter being greater than the first diameter, wherein a lower surface of the head serves as the non-return feature; and/or

The locating post comprises two or more resilient members that are open to each other, each of the two or more resilient members comprising a portion of the shank and a portion of the head, wherein the head is capable of passing through the locating hole when the two or more resilient members are brought together and the lower surface of the head is capable of preventing the locating post from backing out of the locating hole when the two or more resilient members are open to each other.

9. A modular connector assembly comprising at least one connector attached to a cable and a support configured to be attached to a structure, characterized in that:

the at least one connector includes:

a first component comprising a portion of a first contact corresponding to a first conductor of the cable; and

a second component comprising a portion of a second contact corresponding to a second conductor of the cable;

wherein the first component is configured to be connected to the second component; and is

Wherein the support is clamped between the first component and the second component.

10. A base station antenna, comprising:

an end cap; and

a connector assembly mounted on the end cap;

characterized in that the connector assembly is configured as a modular connector assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9.